Nutra Nail expands portfolio

NEW YORK — Nail treatment company Nutra Nail has announced the launch of two new products — Instant Smudge Repair and Flex-Shield nail hardener.

Nutra Nail Instant Smudge Repair brushes away smudged, nicked, smeared or dented polish. Just brush over the manicure mishap and instantly restore polish to a smooth, shiny finish without removal or reapplication of polish, the company stated.

The new Flex-Shield nail hardener formula coats nails with a hard, yet flexible and invisible shield to reinforce nails and help prevent breaking, tearing and peeling. Patented technology keeps the shield flexible to better absorb daily abuse to the nails, making it chip resistant and longer lasting. Flex-Shield nail hardener can be used as both a base coat and over colored polish as a top coat.

Nutra Nail Instant Smudge Repair has a suggested retail price of $3.29 and is available at Walmart, CVS and other national drug store chains; Flex-Shield nail hardener has a suggested retail price of $4.98 and is available at Walmart and other national drug store chains.

U.S. sales of cosmetics, toiletries rise above pre-recession levels

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Sales of cosmetics and toiletries in the United States increased 2.4% to $36.5 billion in 2010 — which is above pre-recession levels — thanks to technological advances, promotional activity and rising consumer confidence, according to worldwide consulting and research firm Kline.

While the industry showed signs of recovery, consumers influenced by economic uncertainties continued to scrutinize their spending, shopped at venues with competitive pricing and sought out products on sale. The increased willingness to spend was captivated primarily by offers that provided extra value. Skin care kits, priced more favorably than individual products, and multifunctional products were among the core trends of 2010, according to data from Kline’s Cosmetics & Toiletries USA 2010 study.

In 2010, skin care remained the largest product class, accounting for 25% of total industry sales. Thanks to the emergence of high-tech facial treatment offerings, the product class also has remained one of the fastest-growing segments. The industry front-runner was makeup, which registered a 4.4% growth, according to Kline. Lending a strong hand to the success of the makeup category were nail polishes, which soared 20.4% in 2010 because of new product activity, adapted to achieving at-home salon results and easy application.

All trade classes registered a certain level of growth in 2010. While the specialty trade class — which consists mainly of mall-based stores, including Bath & Body Works and The Body Shop — posted the strongest gains, providing a good sign that consumers are back out and shopping again, the professional channel — encompassing salons, spas and physician offices — registered the lowest overall increase of 1.9%.

In the skin care segment, a host of products were introduced during the year that compared their results with those obtained at beauticians’ or a doctors’ offices. For example, at-home skin care devices used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, as well as tone and cleanse skin, have seen a significant growth in popularity.

American Greetings, CoverGirl team up to promote Mother’s Day cards by Taylor Swift

CLEVELAND — American Greetings is promoting Taylor Swift’s Mother’s Day card collection by teaming up with CoverGirl to ask fans to share "the best day" spent with their moms on the greeting card brand’s Facebook page.

The company, which is offering Taylor Swift’s CD single "The Best Day" inside one of its exclusive Mother’s Day cards, said its promotion with CoverGirl — a company for which Swift is a spokeswoman — will give fans the chance to win hundreds of dollars in prizes. One grand prize winner will receive an autographed Taylor Swift "Speak Now" CD and an American Greetings/CoverGirl gift pack. Twelve random winners will win prize packages, including Taylor Swift memorabilia and American Greetings and CoverGirl products.

"Taylor’s relationship with her own mom not only inspired this song, but also her Mother’s Day card collection, and we are so proud of it because it gives people a way to tell their moms just how awesome they think they are in a way that’s honest and real," said Lindsay Kalback, a member of "Team Taylor" at American Greetings. "It’s been great to work with Taylor and CoverGirl to put together this Facebook contest so that fans can tell their stories about their moms in their own words and share their best day with others."

All 18 Taylor Swift Mother’s Day greeting cards can be found at select American Greetings retail partner locations nationwide.

Beauty Vanities will put a spotlight on small, start-up brands by giving them ample opportunity to stand-out and get discovered at CPNA’s annual event, which is scheduled to take place July 29 to 31, in Las Vegas.

Forgotten Password

Registration complete

REGISTER

USERNAME *

Spaces are allowed; punctuation is not allowed except for periods, hyphens, and underscores.

E-MAIL ADDRESS *

A valid e-mail address. All e-mails from the system will be sent to this address. The e-mail address is not made public and will only be used if you wish to receive a new password or wish to receive certain news or notifications by e-mail.

Password *

Confirm Password *

Please choose a password for your account; it must be 8 - 30 characters. .

First Name *

Last Name *

Company Name *

Job Title *

ZIP *

Are you a *

Retailer or Healthcare professional

Non-Retailer

How many stores do you operate?: *

Which best describes the business/industry you work in?: *

Which best describes your job title?: *

Please select the newsletters you would like to subscribe to

DSN A.M.
Daily news stories covering the retail drug industry

Breaking News
First-to-the-market with developing stories in the industry